DeMaurice Smith Shares Leadership Lessons From The NFL Ecosystem

That Said with Michael Zeldin
Written By CommPRO
DeMaurice Smith interview, Part II

In the latest episode of That Said with Michael Zeldin, we continue our conversation with DeMaurice Smith about his new book, Turf Wars: The Fight for the Soul of America’s Game. Smith, who served 14 years as the executive director of the NFL Players Association, shares hard-won lessons on leadership in one of the most complex and high-stakes environments in American sports.

Part one explored his personal background and the unique perspective he brought to the NFLPA. In part two, Smith offers a candid look at the NFL ecosystem, detailing the challenges of balancing player advocacy, league power dynamics, and public scrutiny. For communications professionals, his insights on negotiation, coalition-building, and message discipline provide a compelling playbook for leading through conflict and shaping narratives under pressure.

CommPRO

CommPRO’s analysts cover the evolving communications, PR, and marketing landscape through thought leadership, in-depth editorials, and exclusive event coverage. From Cannes Lions to Communications Town Halls, CommPRO provides insights on creativity, innovation, disinformation, ESG, and diversity, our expert contributors highlight trends shaping PR, corporate communications, investor relations, and digital marketing, while offering strategic lessons for communicators. With a reach of more than 50,000 professionals, CommPRO connects brands and agencies with a diverse, future-forward audience.

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